Yes, I'd like to know the same thing. As well as who this person Ofek is and why he seems to have a problem with women in the field. I'd also like to know whether the others involved with the site endorse that kind of behavior, and whether or not Ofek is a big enough person to apologize for the insult.

Who is [email protected] and why is he, as an editor of this site, allowed to call a woman scientist an "urban whore" when she tells him politely and professionaly "No"? He certainly should not be representing this site!

Hi Nickwan! Thank you for bringing this up to our attention. Derogatory and discriminatory remarks are not encouraged in Biology-Online.org. I will probe into this matter and hear the side of the other admins of the site. I'll contact you once I get definite answers to clear out this issue immediately. Thank you.

Vicki

"Why you care about small things? World very simple place...World only have two things: Things you can eat and things you no can eat."

I teach high school biology in PA, and I always include biology-online.org as a potential resource for my students at the beginning of the school year. This morning I received several e-mails linking me to this particular post. it turns out that we have been discussing the issue of science being a male-dominated culture and the need to break down barriers and stereotypes in class. Ironically, this timely, and relevant "teachable moment" has left me disgusted. At this moment, I am thinking of all the ways to tackle this unfortunate fiasco in class, come Tuesday.

Please be aware that we will certainly be watching as events unfold. I hope this website does the right thing by Urban Scientist. I hope that by Tuesday morning my students will learn what happens to sexist/mysoginists in the workplace, and that gender-based attacks are not anywhere close to being acceptable. I hope that I can still, in good conscience, refer students to biology-online.org.

The only thing more stunning than the response that Urban Scientist received, which is really hard to fathom, is the fact that someone not only thought those things but ACTUALLY SENT THAT RESPONSE.

Having watched the atheist community rage battles against misogyny over the last couple of years it is really, really depressing to see things like this. What a horrible person Ofek is. It is okay to have a policy to not pay guest bloggers. It is not okay to act like professionals asking for compensation for their work and time is akin to being a whore. And of course, it is doubtful a man would have received such a response.

I'm having a hard time keeping my language and tone civil and appropriate, because this is so outrageous it is hard to believe there is an adult who is responsible for attracting people to this site who interacts with people like this. It's unbelievable. The only thing more difficult to believe is that he even asked for a woman's input in the first place, the misogyny is literally bursting out of him.

The way women are treated in science, and the lack of women staying in science, are huge issues that need to be addressed. In most professions, including science, calling someone a "whore" in writing would result in instant dismissal. I also hope you will contact your "partners" at Scientific American (@mdichristina and @BoraZ on twitter) and ask them to reinstate Urban Scientist's blog post about this.

I would also point out that it is not ok to not pay people for work done on your behalf.

My name is Jillian Keenan, and I'm a freelance journalist based in New York. I tried to send you a private message, Honee_V, but I'm not sure whether it went through. Could you please contact me at [email protected]? I'd love to chat with you! Thanks a bunch.

I am deeply disturbed by the unprofessional act of one of your employee, named Ofek. I am surprised WE HAVEN'T heared from you, yet!I demand a public apology to Ms. Danielle N. Lee. I want to hear how you are going to teach this person a lesson in ethics!

I am a mother of a smart young lady interested in sciences. I won't stand on the sidelines and watch something like this happening to anyone - man or a woman!

Make this right really quick because I won't be silent. I will make sure that everyone on the web knows what your company stands for.Sincerely,

I, too, would like to know who Ofek is. As a woman in science, I am appalled. I would hope that there are men in science - perhaps even men who are affiliated with biology online - who are appalled as well.

"Derogatory and discriminatory remarks are not encouraged in Biology-Online.org"